Stranger Danger!

We've got a lot to cover this week, so let's get to it... right after you watch this.

Good stuff, huh? Mad props go out to Derek Cody (@derekcody on twitter) for this and the rest of his videos we've linked in the blog this season. Great work, Derek!

This week's dedication goes out to, well, a lot of folks. It's dedicated to both Alabama and Mississippi State, since pretty much no one predicted that they'd be "wearing" identical 7-2 records going into this week's game. It's also dedicated to Auburn, Cam & Cecil Newton, Kenny Rogers, John Bond and a whole slew of others, because their collective cloak and dagger routine has the entire nation wondering just what the hell is REALLY going on?

So without further ado...

The Stranger - Billy Joel

Well we all have a face
That we hide away forever
And we take them out and
Show ourselves
When everyone has gone.
Some are satin some are steel
Some are silk and some are leather
They're the faces of the stranger
But we love to try them on.

Well we all fall in love
But we disregard the danger.
Though we share so many secrets
There are some we never tell.
Why were you so surprised
That you never saw the stranger?
Did you ever let your lover see
The stranger in yourself?

Don't be afraid to try again
Everyone goes south
Every now and then.
You've done it, why can't
Someone else?
You should know by now
You've been there yourself.

There's a lot of meaning to be gleaned from those lyrics if one so chooses.

First, let's get the Rented Mule Saga out of the way. The timeline goes a little something like this (note: This information has been gathered from various message boards and blogs around the internet, so it is most likely 100% factual. However, we reserve the right to change/edit/update/remove this information as we see fit in light of any new information that comes to bear after the writing of this entry. If you have a question about our sources then learn2internet.):

1) Cam Newton is born.
2) Cecil Newton watches his mule, er, son grow into a talented football player and dollar signs roll up in his eyes like a damn cartoon.
3) Cam first goes to Florida, where he cheats his ass off and steals a laptop. He is dismissed from Florida.
4) Cam goes to JuCo.
5) Papa Cecil decides to cash in (possibly for a second time if he pulled this off at Florida?) on his son's new-found "free agency."
6) Papa Cecil skips his seminar on "how to subtly ask for money from college athletics 101".
7) Papa Cecil shops his mule, er, son around to various SEC schools.
8) Kenny Rogers tries to wedge his fat ass into the middle of this situation to make some bread by calling former teammates and soliciting funds.
9) John Bond rides in on a white horse like Sir Gallahad and blows the whistle on Papa Cecil, and, by extension, all the other dirty motherfuckers involved, by reporting the solicitation to MSU, who in turn reports it to the SEC as per Mike Slive's mandate.
10) Mike Slive does his best to brush this gigantic steaming pile of elephant dung under the proverbial carpet.
11) Rumors and allegations swirl between Dec. 2009 and July 2010.
12) More information comes to light in July and the NCAA steps in.
13) Thanks to the glory that is the Information Age all this evidence is hinted at and pussy-footed around all over the internet for weeks at a time, driving ratings and web page views through the roof.
14) Auburn claims no knowledge of any wrong doing throughout the entire process.
15) Auburn decides to sit Cam Newton for the Georgia game, just in case.
16) All across Alabama frantic 911 calls take place as Auburn's fans' heads explode, leaving family and friends to pick up bits of brain, skull, and other fucked up, repugnant shit.

Get all that? Good, now on to our game...

MSU faces Alabama in Tuscaloosa this Saturday night in what is an unexpected meeting between two 7-2 SEC West teams. Mississippi State is riding high on the crest of a six-game winning streak, whereas Bama limps into the game licking their wounds after the luckiest son of a bitch alive pulls another rabbit out of his gr-ass.

KEYS TO THE GAME -
OFFENSE - For Mississippi State to have a chance at winning this game, they must not only establish a serviceable (if not strong) running game, but they must also present a legitimate passing threat to keep one of the best defenses in the nation from loading the box and crushing hearts, skulls and dreams. Dan Mullen was quoted as saying that Chris Relf spent considerable time in the off-week working on his passing game, and hopefully something good will come of that.

DEFENSE - MSU caught several breaks this season in the form of key players being out, whether by injury or suspension. AJ Green was held out against Georgia. Demps did not play at Florida. Case Keenum was out for Houston. The list goes on, indeed, because Trent Richardson is questionable for this weekend's game against the Bulldogs. Even so the Dawgs must prepare for a solid ground game as Mark Ingram, who won the first ever Heisman for Alabama last season, will still be a factor. MSU has been successful stopping the run for most of the season, but Greg McElroy will test the Dawgs through the air, as well. The defense must create at least 2 turnovers that the Bulldogs turn into points on the board to get this game in hand.

BOTTOM LINE -
TURNOVERS - Since the LSU game, when MSU had 5 turnovers, the Bulldogs have done a good job of taking care of the ball. They need to take it one step further this weekend, and not only protect the rock, but find ways to steal it from Bama in order to lock this game down. If the Bulldogs end up with a negative turnover ratio in this game it's as good as gone.

WILD AND WOOLLY PREDICTION -
MSU 30 BAMA 27

REALISTIC PREDICTION -
MSU 17 BAMA 14

Yes, you heard me. I am calling an MSU win in Tuscaloosa this weekend. The Tide have little to play for now that they are officially out of the National Championship picture, and their tanks are close to 'E' after the emotional loss last week. MSU is coming of a bye week, and although it was very emotional with the loss of Nick Bell, the Bulldogs have dedicated the rest of the season to Nick, and you can bet they will go hard every single play in his honor.

Here's to you, Nick. Only the Good Die Young.